Electric-fixture clamp



July 17, 192s.

1,677,164 G. :ARRAS ELECTRIC FIXTURE CLAMP Filed June 17, 192s Patented July 17, 1928.

.iUNlTEDjSTATES GEORGE ARRAS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.`

ELECTRIC-FIXTURE CLAMP.

Application led June 17, 1926. Serial No. 116,527. I

This' invention relates to a .fixture clamp, particularly for electric iixtui'es, which is adapted t-o engage fixture sockets, plugs and the like of different sizes without any variation of the engaging means thereof. The obieot of the invention is, theretore, to pro-` vide a fixture of this kind which is easilyi operable for engaging plugs or socketscf different sizes. A further obJect ot the invention is to provide an improved simple fixture clamp which automatically centers itself with respect to the `device to which it is applied. The invention'consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangenient of the parts.

In the accompanying drawing, igure 1 is a side elevation illustrating the invention as applied to an electric lamp fixture plug; Figure Q is a sectional view of the fixture clamp; Figure 3 is a side elevation of one side of the fixture clamp; and Figure 4: 1s an enlarged detail of theffastening or clamping means.

` In attaching aglobe or shade holder to a lamp socket or plug, it isdesirable to have a clamp which will accommodate plugs of various sizes, or may even be applied to plugs, sockets and like of entirely different or a variety of sizes. The present invention is designed and intended to provide such a variation that it may easily accommodate different sizes of the same kind of plugs or sockets having a variation of a considerable extent, and at the same time to present means for automatically centering the fixture with respect'to the support, so that it will be practical in construction and attractive in appearance.

In carrying out this invention, the clamp proper comprises two strips 5 and 6 of Hexible ii'ietal of suitable strength, such as steel, copper, phosphor bronze or the like, the ends of which are perforated and secured together by means of staples or eyelets 7 and the intermediate portions of which are formed with oppositely disposed cutouts 8 and 9 adapting the strips to cross each other intermediate the ends thereof, so that the inner ends will form a reduced loop within an outer loop made by the opposite ends of the strips 5 and 6.

In order to confine and suitably support the clamping strips, a hollow shell or housing 10 is provided with an opening 11 through which the connected ends of the strips are inserted, and the opposite side of thehousiiig is formed with perforations 12 and 13 through which the crossed or reduced portions are inserted, so that the outer end of each strip bears on the oiiteil portion of the shell froiiithe opening 11 tothe openings and 13 for holding these portions of the strips in distendcd position.

In order to clamp "these, strips about a socket 14, a screw 15 is inserted through the eyelets and perforated ends `of the strips and a nut 16, or similarfastening device, is threaded up tightly on the screw. By making the screw of suitable length, variation of the size ofthe inner-loop can be made as large as desired to accommodate sockets or plugs of various sizes and of suitable variation. This inner loop being formed by the strips `"crossing each other, automatically centers a socketin the holder or housing 10, and if desired, the strips may be formed with a straight portion 17 at their inner ends to more accurately center the paits.

This clamp may be applied to any kind of a shell or shade holder 18, as shown in Figure 1, of which the upper shell yor housing 10 is a parhand the globe or shade 19 may be supported by the holder. This suggests only one of a number of uses to which a device of this kind may be applied, it being well understood in the art to which this -re` lates that the fixture clamp proper may be utilized in a number of similar locations with respect to the fixture parts. The clamp itself is simple in construction and operation, not likely to get out of order, and is practically self-centering and self-adjusting for sockets and plugs of different sizes, it being necessary only to vary the fastening nut screw in oider to make suitable variations of the clamp.

I claim:

1. A fixture clampv comprising two ffexible metal strips secured together at the ends and crossing each other intermediate the ends, a perforatedhousing through which the strips extend, and fastening means for drawing the connected ends together about a device to which the strips are applied.

2. In a clamp of the class described, a pair of strips connected together at the ends and crossed intermediate the ends, a perforated housing to engage the outer portions of the strips, the inner portions thereof extending within the housing and forming a reduced loop, the ends of the strips being outside of the housing, `and means engaging the ends Htl for drawing them together' to vary the size of the inner loop port-ion.

3. lna fixture clamp, a pair of tiexible strips connected togetherat the ends and crossing intermediate the ends, means comprising a housing for holding the outery portions ol the strips in distended position, and fastening means for engaging the connected ends of the strips for varying the loop torni'edy by the inn'er ends of the stri is.

st. In it listure clamp, a pair of vilexible strips of substantially thesaine length con# nected together at the ends and having redn'ce'd portions intermediate their ends adapting them tobe crossed to form an inner clamping loop Within the outer portions of tlie strips, av perforated housing with portions ot' the strips insideand outside thereof, and measufor drawing the ends of the s together to vary the size of the inner clai ping loop. y y

5. In a iiktire cl'ainp,` an outer perforated shell, apair ot leiibl'e strips having reduced portions adopting them' to be crossed interi'netliate their ends and connected together at the en'ds, the otiterportions of the strips engaging the outefr face of the shell and extending through the perforations so that the inner nortions thereof forni av partially closed loop, the connected ends ,of the strips being disposed Without the shell, and means lor drau'ing the ends of the strips together to vary 'tli'e inner loop 'portion thereof.

G. In a clamp of the class described, a pair of flexible strips, each having a reduced portion intermedite its ends adapting them to be crossed and connected flatly together at their ends, a housing shell for engaging the outer portions of the strips to hold them in distended position, and clamping means for engaging the connected ends of the stri ps for \a1'ying the size of the engaging portion formed by the inner portions of the strips.

7. In a clamp ot' the class described, a hollow shell having outside perforations, a pair of flexible strips having reduced portions adapting them to he crossed within the shell and the outer portions being held in distendcd position by the outside ol the shell, the extremities heilig connected to gether outside ot' the shell. fastening means insertable Within the connected ends for drawing them up tightly to vary the size of the clamping portion lormed within the shell.A

8. ln a clamp ol theclass described, a puir of flexible strips, each havinga reduced portion adapting them to be crossed inter-` mediate their ends and to lie ilatly together at their ends, a hollow perlorttted shell through which the ends are inserted to hold the outer portions ol the strips in distended position, means 'for connecting the corrcspending e'nd's o'l' thevstrips together and to iorin a perforationtheretln'ougln and las`- toning means insertahie through the perforzfx-` tions and adjustable to vary the size of the inner crossed ends of the strips.

GEORGE ARRAS.

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